Is it what you thought?

[StL_Momma27]

I am starting my program in August and wanted to get new and seasoned nurse opinions on your experience.

If you are a new nurse, is nursing what you had envisioned in your head? Is it better or worse? What do you love about your job?

If you are a seasoned nurse, same questions. Is nursing what you had envisioned? Is it better or worse? What do you love about your job? Would you do it all over again?

Also, do you feel like you get burnt out with nursing?

Thanks!

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

This is a tough question to answer, because the work is so fluid.

I have had great years, and years where the word "nurse" was a dirty word to my ears.

Much of what it boils down to is politics, economy, environment, and management. All it takes is a power shift in management/executives, and what was one day the best career choice ever, becomes a nightmare on the next day.

Our attitude is at least 50% of the equation, but our livelihoods and career are at the mercy of the culture and environment set by those who make the rules. And since healthcare is an ever changing, fluctuating field, things can rapidly deteriorate (or vice versa).

I would choose differently had I the option to do it all over.

[HeartRN13]

I went into nursing initially to be in the glitz and high paced trauma scenarios that you see on tv. Then I went to nursing school , and the introductory semester where you only change beds, urinalysis, and wipe bottoms.

Once I embraced the reality of being a nurse, it turned out to be everything id expected and wanted, just in a different way. I love helping patients, and it makes me feel good when they express their gratitude for the help. I don't need anything in return, I did it because I made the time to do it, and they were appreciative. That's the first reason I stayed.

My second reason is that I feel like an intellectual professional with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and tools necessary to help save lives and help patients get better.

Of course I prefer to work in critical care because that's where my passion is, but it's not the ER scenes from greys anatomy by any means! :)

[patiently-waiting]

As a new grad 4 months in I would say nothing like what I dreamed about. My unit makes me depressed every time I step on the floor. I agree with others that the environment that you work in contributes alot to how well you will adjust to being a nurse. Having no support from management along with no resources makes for a harsh reality of nursing. My advice is to stick to what your heart wants in terms of a job because if not you will be miserable and questions why you even wanted to become a nurse at all. Sorry to sound so bitter but its because I totally was out of touch in nursing school and got a big shock when I stepped into the hospital as a RN no longer a student.